JAPANESE BIKE GUIDE
Welcome to the Japanese classic bike guide. We’ve tried to bring you a handy list of as many of the classic Japanese bikes we feel you may like. Some of the rarer bikes have been omitted, purely because to keep them on the road would be almost impossible. Others we have put together as they share engines or concepts, as the Japanese firms often updated their models yearly with small changes.
We obviously couldn’t give a lot of info about each model, so hopefully there’s enough to get you looking in the right direction! We even found some bikes we hadn’t been aware of – especially the early bikes.
From small beginnings and often ridiculed, have grown huge oak trees and the Far East nation now dominates the market. But the early years were fascinating times, with the late Fifties seeing a slowly slowly approach into the UK and US markets, individual dealers seeing the small Japanese bikes filling a gap in the market as the British bike scene floundered in its own bubble. Even designer Edward Turner travelled to Japan to see the manufacturing facilities, giant in comparison to Triumph, Norton and BSA, reporting his findings back to the British firms. The history, especially if you’re into your racing, is fantastic.
Japanese bike ownership is very similar to the British scene. There’s a great number of clubs with dedicated members for marques and models and the VJMC (Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club) covers all models and helped tremendously with this supplement . Meets, rallies, shows, specialists and keen helpers are everywhere – get a Japanese classic and you won’t be alone. As a famous Honda advert once said: ‘You meet the nicest people on a Honda’.
For the most part, spares are available, though some plastic and bodywork can be scarce. Again, this guide should help you know if a model has particular problems with availability. Reliability is good, and then there’s the fun. A lot of the bikes, especially the early ones, are great fun to ride and if used to a British bike, the size of the engine will surprise you!
We hope you find something you like the sound of. If you need any more information, let us know and we’ll help as much as we can.
Matt
HONDA BUYING GUIDE
C100, C50/70/C90 Series
50-90cc || four-stroke push rod OHC singles || 70kg || 55-70mph || 1958-present day
With more than 60,000,000 examples made it is the world’s most popular motorcycle. Originally push rod motors (C100 etc) the OHC unit, semi-automatic, three-speed Cub just keeps rolling on. Given basic servicing and clean oil little stops it. Rear section of pressed steel frame can rot away over time but with so many out there, buying a good one isn’t hard. A vast range of sub models from basic commuters through to trail based models!
C92/C95/CB92
125-154cc || four-stroke OHC twins || 110-120kg || 62-80mph || 1958-64
Outrageous for the time, the CB92 made anything below 350cc look slow. With just six-volts the super-efficient electric starter wowed customers. Cooking version C92 and its 154cc C95 brother majored in period charm, yet are still completely usable as modern commuters. Quirky period styling just adds to the charm. All thrive on revs yet still remain reliable. CB92 mega-expensive but C92/95 remain attainable.
CG125
124cc || four-stroke push rod single || 114kg || 65mph || 1976-2008
Designed from the outset for third world use where Honda knew the bike would be regularly overloaded and abused, the CG125 was designed to be bombproof. Sold globally it became a learner school favourite with UK learners. Production transferred to Brazil 1985, 12v electrics same year, electric start 2001. Copied by Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean firms; also made by Atlas Honda in Pakistan. Modern day Bantam with charm and character.
CB160/175/200
160-200cc || four-stroke OHC twins || 112-132kg || 77-81mph || 1964-77
A key model range, which began as a feisty small sport twin and finished as a
